JOIN USA Cabinet sub-committee will soon decide on the quantum of support price for copra, Agriculture Marketing and Horticulture Minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa informed the Legislative Assembly on Friday.
Replying to a discussion raised by Leader of the Opposition H D Kumaraswamy and others on the distress faced by coconut growers due to drought, Shivashankarappa said procuring centres will be opened across the State from June 17.
Nodal agency
The National Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Federation of India (Nafed) will act as the nodal agency to undertake price support operation, he said.
The government in 2012-13 had fixed the maximum support price for copra at Rs 700 per quintal for copra sold at market price of Rs 5,350 per quintal.
Earlier, members cutting across party lines, said drought and disease had destroyed large tracts of coconut plantation in the State.